Daniel Klein​

Daniel Klein, BSME, JD Law, MBA (LBS)

Partner & Co-Founder KE

Specialization

  • Trademarks
  • Copyrights & Patents
  • Courts
  • Contracts
  • Influencer Law
Experience

Daniel Klein is an American attorney and co-founder of KE. Prior to this, he co-founded Vasiliev Klein and Usov, as well as Podolsky Vasiliev & Klein. He was also a co-founder of the Hellevig, Klein & Usov, Avenir Group. Before founding Podolsky Vasiliev & Klein, Daniel worked at Marks & Sokolov. From 2009 to 2012, he served on the board of directors for several subsidiaries of PPF’s/Generali’s Eldorado Electronics, NSK, Sibzavod, and others. Additionally, Daniel was the Marketing Director for Sprandi sportswear.

Daniel is an expert on legal issues relating to Western companies doing business in Central and Western Europe. He has served on the boards of numerous companies, including Actis Software and Skate Financial News. He has led the legal and business aspects of numerous company start-ups, venture capital/private equity investments, and geographic expansions through acquisition and organic growth. Notably, he served as the EMEA MD for Hypercom, managing offices in Dubai, Budapest, Paris, and England.

 

Daniel has extensive experience in real estate, franchising, mortgages, financial leasing, company structures, and contract law. He is a seasoned intellectual property attorney, experienced in litigating and prosecuting patents, trademarks, and copyrights, particularly concerning counterfeit goods. He has practiced at Bouju Derambure Bugnon in Paris and Pennie & Edmonds in New York.

While at Pennie & Edmonds, Daniel was the lead trademark attorney for clients such as Australian Rules Football and the NBA, handling global trademark filings, product licensing, new sport franchising, and anti-counterfeiting efforts.

Education

Daniel holds a Juris Doctorate from New York Law School, an MBA from London Business School, and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Washington University in St. Louis, with a focus on metallurgy and turbine technologies. He is admitted to the State Bars of New York and Massachusetts and has passed the United States Patent & Trademark bar.

Daniel Klein, BSME, JD Law (NY, MA, DC), MBA (LBS)

Partner & Co-Founder KE

Professional Background
Prior to co-founding KE, American attorney Daniel Klein (also a Canadian citizen) was a co-founder of Vasiliev Klein and Usov and Podolsky Vasiliev & Klein. He was formerly a co-founder of the Hellevig, Klein & Usov, Avenir Group (some Avenir companies are now referred to as Awara). Prior to founding Podolsky Vasiliev & Klein, Daniel worked at Marks & Sokolov which was the successor firm to Egorov, Puginsky, Afanasiev & Marks. From 2009 till 2012 Daniel served as a member of the board of directors of some subsidaries of PPF’s/Generali’s Eldorado Electronics, NSK, Sibzavod, etc. Daniel was also Marketing Director for Sprandi sportswear.

Legal Expertise & Corporate Leadership
Daniel is an expert on legal issues relating to Western companies doing business in Central Europe and Western Europe. Daniel also served on the boards of many companies including: Actis Software, Skate Financial News to name a few. He has spearheaded the legal and business aspects of numerous company start-ups, venture capital/private equity investments, and geographic expansions of companies through acquisition and organic growth. Among other highlights in Daniel’s experience includes his serving as the EMEA MD for the then 2nd largest payment terminal manufacturer in the world: Hypercom (formerly NYSE: HYC; recently purchased by Verifone). As head of EMEA he managed offices in Dubai, Moscow, Budapest, Paris & England.

International Business & Legal Practice
Daniel also was a filtration officer for the Vienna-based Siemen’s Red-Stars.com which purchased many internet e-tailing start-ups across Eastern Europe. Daniel also has extensive experience in the areas of real estate, franchising, mortgages, financial leasing, company structures, and contract law. He is a seasoned intellectual property attorney, experienced in litigating and prosecuting patents, trademarks & copyrights, especially pertaining to counterfeit goods. He has also practiced at the Paris-based firm Bouju Derambure Bugnon and New York-based Pennie & Edmonds (later partially merged with Jones Day).

Sports & Entertainment Law
While working at Pennie & Edmonds in New York he was the lead trademark attorney for some of the firm’s sport clients including Australian Rules Football, the NBA and also worked on many NFL trademark matters. His main function was to oversea global trademark filings and prosecutions, product licensing matters, new sport franchising (Miami Heat, Charlotte Hornets, Minnesota Timberwolves), as well as to pursue counterfeiters around the world.

Education 
Daniel holds a Juris Doctorate (New York Law School), an MBA (London Business School) and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering degrees (Washington University in St. Louis; with a focus on metallurgy and turbine technologies). He passed the State Bars of New York, Massachusetts, and passed the United States Patent & Trademark bar.

Media & Academic Contributions
Daniel used to run the first and only English-language monthly legal column referred to as “Daniel Klein’s Legal Line” in Passport Magazine (www.passportmagazine.ru). Daniel also used to teach Securities Regulations at Moscow’s Pericles Law School. Daniel is also a lecturer at Skolkovo’s start-up academy. Daniel has co-produced a TV program for Carlton TV (the UK), appeared as a guest on SkyNews program which he organized and produced (“The Cash Point Ghost”), Daniel is a citizen of the US and also a citizen of Canada and speaks English (mother tongue), French, Russian, Czech and Spanish.

Meldir Erbulekova, Co-Founder & Partner

A Unique Blend of Global Expertise and Local Insight “Best Consulting Firm 2024”

Meldir Erbulekova brings an exceptional combination of international expertise and deep local knowledge to her legal practice. Before co-founding Klein & Erbulekova, Meldir co-founded the Matias Group, a dynamic consortium of companies that includes Matias IP and Matias Accounting, and the law firm Klein & Erbulekova, all three prominent Kazakh enterprises.

Earlier in her distinguished career, Meldir served as a senior attorney for the CIS branch of Gowling WLG, a leading Canadian law firm. With this strong foundation, Meldir has established herself as one of Kazakhstan’s foremost corporate lawyers.

Global Experience, Local Solutions
Meldir’s unique advantage lies in her extensive international experience, which provides her with a deep understanding of Western best practices. This knowledge is particularly valuable for Western clients navigating the complexities of doing business in Kazakhstan. Her exposure to American culture, gained through her education at a U.S. high school (where she earned a U.S. High School Diploma), complements her Western-oriented legal approach.

Academic Credentials
Business Education:

  • Strasbourg School of Management, Robert Schuman University of Strasbourg (France)

  • Copyright Studies, Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society, Harvard University (USA)

Legal Education:

  • MGIMO University (Russia) – Bachelor’s Degree, International Trade Law (#1 in CIS)

  • Moscow State Law University (Russia) – Master’s Degree, Contract Law

  • National Research University Higher School of Economics (Russia) – Postgraduate Program in Information Technology and Intellectual Property Law

Entrepreneurship and Client-Focused Service
Meldir’s entrepreneurial spirit shines through her co-founding of several accounting and law service companies. This experience gives her a business-practical approach that prioritizes actionable solutions over theoretical or overly complex legal advice. Her dedication is to maximizing shareholder value for her clients, not inflating fees with unnecessary legal work.

Guidance in a Challenging Business Landscape
Kazakhstan’s business environment can be complex and challenging. Meldir’s unique blend of Western training and Kazakh insight equips her to help clients navigate these obstacles seamlessly. Her extensive experience ensures she delivers effective, practical, and culturally informed advice that empowers clients to succeed in Kazakhstan and beyond.

Alexander Litvinov

Special CIS Counsel, Klein & Erbulekova

Alexander, who was Magna Cum Laude and Valedictorian of his class, has a 10+ year history working as an in-house lawyer at many well-known foreign brands operating in Russia like Inditex (Zara, Pull & Bear etc), Clarence, Kiko Milano, Solvay and several Western retailers.

Education
Alexander holds a law degree from Moscow’s Peoples Friendship University and a master’s in law. He has completed over 5 years of coursework at a language academy (English & French). Additionally, Alexander has contributed to academia by teaching a course at Russia’s leading Masters in Law programme at the prestigious Higher School of Economics.

Areas of Competency

  • Real Estate & Retail Leases – Advised on over 85 retail leases

  • Intellectual Property

  • Corporate Law – Extensive coverage of most areas

  • Dispute Resolution – Litigation, Arbitration and MKAS’s Arbitrators Association

Erjan Qabdykarim

Special Astana Counsel

 

Speciality IT LAW

LL.M. Nottingham Law School Grad

Bachelor Degree “Adilet” Law School

Member of Kazakhstan Bar Association

 7+ years of legal support for IT projects

20+ years of experience as an in-house lawyer and external consultant gained within public and private areas, such as Construction, Manufacturing, Public Administration, Consulting 

Core Competencies:

  •  Legal support for launch of FinTech, e-commerce,, ICT projects
  • Corporate governance and structuring of business models
  •  M&A deals, capital & loan investments
  •  Due diligence

Experience with projects such as:

Senim, Aitupay, Instant Payment System, 1C Kazakhstan, Eventum One, Ticketon, Documentolog, Clockster, Easybus, Sabaq Online, Garson, 1Fit, Edge Apps, Qcloudy, Devart, Network Energy, Tempojob

Legal Support for Tech Startups

  • Assisting startups at all stages – from ideation to scaling, including:
  •  Legal structuring for mobile apps, web services, fintech solutions and marketplaces
  •  Drafting public offers, software development and maintenance agreements
  •  Copyright and trademark registration, licensing agreements and SLAs
  •  Joining Astana Hub residency
  •  Structuring agreements for payment services, e-money, data protection

orge Murvanidze focuses on advisory services on international capital markets transactions, initial public offerings (IPOs) and secondary public offerings (SPOs), also providing compliance matters (SOX, FCPA, UKBA); cross-border mergers and acquisitions and joint ventures and general corporate and commercial matters. Special attention on matters with HNWI (high net-worth individuals), compliance, AML, worldwide taxation, residential programs, assistance with banking in various jurisdictions, mainly Cyprus, BVI, UK, US, Georgia, including enforcement of foreign court awards.

He worked for different U.S. and English law firms, and represented world’s largest legal database LexisNexis in Caucasus. George attended Tulane University Law School and Cambridge Academy of Transport. Major fields of his expertise are Admiralty & International Maritime Law, UKBA/FCPA compliance; Mergers & Acquisitions, Oil & Gas, Real Estate & Development, International Arbitration, Corporate Law, IT & Telecommunications, Investments & Financial transactions. George maintains personal contacts with the world’s famous experts and authors of textbooks in International and Maritime law. George is Honorary Citizen of New Orleans and member at London Maritime Arbitrators Association.

He started his legal career 30 years ago at Georgian Shipping Company, soon achieving position of a department chief at Georgian Maritime Administration. His another major corporate field was IT/Telecoms: George served for the U.S. MIG (Nasdaq: MTRM), telecom joint venture in CIS. George delivers tailored, strategic counsel designed to meet his clients’ specific goals, all with an emphasis on efficiency, precision, and solutions that work in today’s dynamic business landscape.

Areas of Expertise

  • International Capital Markets
  • IPOs and SPOs
  • Compliance (SOX, FCPA, UKBA)
  • Mergers & Acquisitions
  • Maritime Law
  • Real Estate & Development
  • International Arbitration
  • Corporate Law
  • IT & Telecommunications
  • Banking & Finance
  • Oil & Gas
  • Cross-border Transactions

Zhanna Khamitova, Attorney

Legal expertise backed by experience and a strategic approach

Zhanna is a lawyer with over 15 years of practical experience in the legal field, specializing in intellectual property disputes, family law, and contract law.
She began her legal career after obtaining her law degree in 2008. Since 2010, she has been practicing independently, focusing not only on deep knowledge of legislation but also on comprehensive legal analysis, risk assessment, and the development of effective strategies to protect her clients’ interests.
Expertise and Key Areas
Intellectual Property Disputes
Her practical experience includes the protection of copyrights, patents, trademarks, and trade secrets. In the digital economy, issues such as unauthorized use of intellectual property, trademark disputes, trade secret protection, online piracy, and licensing conflicts have become increasingly relevant. This field requires not only extensive legal knowledge but also the ability to prove authorship, establish priority rights, and navigate international aspects of legal protection.
Family Law
She has significant experience in handling divorce proceedings, property division, alimony obligations, and child custody disputes. Some of the most complex cases involve the division of jointly owned businesses, international child custody conflicts, parental rights termination, and paternity disputes. These cases require not only legal precision but also an understanding of social and psychological aspects, as family disputes are often emotionally intense and highly sensitive.
Contract Law
Her extensive practice in contract law includes drafting, analyzing, and overseeing civil and commercial agreements, assessing risks, and resolving disputes that arise during contract execution. Some of the most complex challenges involve contract disputes, early termination without financial losses, debt recovery, and protecting interests in international business transactions. She frequently deals with situations where counterparties evade their obligations, make unilateral changes to contracts, or exploit legal loopholes to avoid liability.
Years of practice, deep knowledge of legislation, and a strategic approach allow her to find optimal solutions even in the most complex cases. Her work is based on analytical thinking, individualized strategies, and attention to detail, ensuring reliable legal protection.
Education
  • West Kazakhstan Agricultural Institute (Kazakhstan) — Economics and Organization of Agriculture (Graduation: 1991)
  • West Kazakhstan State University named after M. Utemisov (Kazakhstan)
    — Jurisprudence (Graduation: 2018)

Anna Kravtsova-Cruz

Special Counsel IP IT and Privacy (Portugal), KLEIN & ERBULEKOVA

Professional Overview
An experienced lawyer and strategic advisor, specializing in the intersection of law, technology, and business. Over the past two decades, Anna has led the legal function for global technology and media companies, including Luxoft, Virtuozzo, Parallels, and ESForce, and worked as a Senior Counsel/Junior Partner at an international law firm. In these roles, Anna has advised technology companies on matters related to corporate structure, M&As preparation and negotiation, intellectual property (IP) protection, contracts (including various license agreements, SaaS and service agreements), e-commerce, computer and internet law regulation, crypto-assets regulation, data privacy, sanctions compliance and employment law.

Key Achievements

  • 20+ years of hands-on experience in legal management, consultancy, and in-house counsel roles

  • Led IPO on NYSE and subsequent SPO

  • Supported 20+ successful M&As in the technology sector

  • Assisted 70+ clients with law and technology-related matters, including data privacy compliance

  • 30+ legal interns mentored

Education

  • Queen Mary London University – Master of Laws in Computer and Communication Law, 2019

  • Pericles ABLE – Master of Laws in the US Business Law, 2007

  • Moscow State Law Academy – Law Degree, 2001 (diploma recognised by DGES Portugal)

Qualifications and Membership

  • Certified Information Privacy Professional/Europe by IAPP, Member of IAPP (International Association of Privacy Professionals)

Notable Clients

  • Acronis

  • Parallels

  • Nexters

  • Asteros

  • Evernote

  • VirtusPro

  • Navi

Personal Interests

  • Ancient eastern philosophy, yoga and meditation

  • Extensive world traveler (50+ countries visited)

Looking For A Reliable & Dedicated Partner?

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© 2024 Klein & Erbulekova (KE). All Rights Reserved.

We value this tradition and see in it a reinvention of the well-known principle of carpe diem and a symbol of the fact that from now on the partner is entrusted with the clients’ time.

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We value this tradition and see in it a reinvention of the well-known principle of carpe diem and a symbol of the fact that from now on the partner is entrusted with the clients’ time.

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© 2024 Klein & Erbulekova (KE). All Rights Reserved.